Meetings in Illinois by R. F. Andrews

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 15, 1867

Meetings in Illinois.

By R. F. Andrews

According to appointment, I met with the church at Princeville, Nov. 30, and labored with them till Dec. 6, during which time I held ten interesting meetings, and gave seven discourses which seemed to rouse, encourage, and strengthen the brethren much. While we labored to show the responsibility that rests upon parents, with reference to their children, and the importance of so laboring through the week, that we may have life and energy left to engage in the worship of God on the Sabbath. We were glad to see that the word spoken took effect. Some confessed, with tears, their lack on these points, and good resolutions were made, which we hope will be practically carried out. The meeting was not as interesting as it would have been if we had had a more favorable time; it was cold, rainy, muddy and dark; still we had a fair attendance, and we trust that good has been done.

Dec. 6, we left for Gridley in company with Bro. Blanchard; rode through the mud fifteen miles to Chillicothe in a conveyance kindly furnished us by sister Robinson's husband. We hope the Lord will reward him for his kindness, and that he may be led to seek an interest in the atoning blood of Christ before it shall be too late.

We then took the cars for Peoria, and arrived there a little after 4 o'clock, P. M.; here we expected to stay till 9 o'clock, and then take the train that would land us in Gridley at 11 o'clock in the night. Owing to the freight train running off the track some four miles east of Peoria, we were detained till 10 o'clock, then had to change cars and walk past the wreck (there were fourteen loaded cars thrown off the track, some broken, others set on end, and some turned bottom side up); the train ran very slow, so we did not get into Gridley till after 3 o'clock the next morning. We concluded to go to Bro. Santee's, some three miles distant, but it being very dark, and the way partly covered with water, we concluded to put up for the night under a straw-stack that we came across. As soon as it began to get light, we resumed our journey.

Bucks Creek was between us and Bro. Santee's, and on account of the recent rain, was much higher than common, but there was no alternative; we must cross. So, taking off our boots and stockings, and making other necessary preparations, we commenced fording the stream which was about four rods wide. (Bro. B. and myself will long remember that December morning.) I believe it was the coldest water I ever put my feet into.

We crossed safely and arrived at Bro. Santee's, where we were kindly received. Our meeting commenced that evening, but in consequence of a severe rain storm, there were only one brother and sister and their children in attendance. Still Jesus fulfilled his promise contained in Matt. xviii, 20, to us. Praise his blessed name! Our meetings here were interesting, and all are firm in the truth, and desire to move with the body. We tried to show the necessity of being in earnest in the work of God, and of living out the great truths we profess to love. Bro. B. assisted in preaching the word, and showed clearly that God's people must come out and be separate from the world. Our ordinance meeting was truly cheering, like a refreshing shower to a thirsty and parched land. How many are the tokens of our heavenly Father's love.

The meetings closed on Monday evening, Dec. 10th, with a discourse from 1 Cor. vi, 19, 20, in which we tried to show the importance of caring for the temple of God (our bodies). The congregation paid good attention, and we trust that good has been done.

Dec. 11, I parted with Bro. B., he to go south and I north. Oh that the blessing of the Lord may go with him. On my way to Shabbona Grove, I stopped at Ottawa and visited the family of Bro. H. C. Stone. They and sister Moore are the only representatives of the present truth in that city. Oh! that the Lord may help them to realize the responsibility that rests upon them to lead consistent lives.

I preached to quite a number of friends in Bro. Stone's house, in the evening, from Num. xiv, 21. The prospects before us looked beautiful indeed. There were a number of first-day Adventists and one minister present. Here I learned that “we must keep the first day by faith,” which I think is correct, for we cannot keep it by command or example of our Lord or his apostles, for they never gave the command nor set the example; hence, if we keep it at all, it must be “by faith” in the traditions of the fathers.

I then traveled from Ottawa to Shabbona Grove; tarried with the brethren there till the 17th on account of a severe snow storm. I preached but twice, then labored from house to house; found all the dear brethren and sisters holding on to the truth. Oh! that the Lord may help them to be faithful, and preserve them blameless unto his coming.

Dec. 19th, I arrived at home, and found my dear family well and glad to see me. How sweet the enjoyment of a happy home! Thank God, separations will soon be over among the righteous!

“Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time, And bring the welcome day.”

Sabbath, the 22nd, I preached to my own dear brethren at Clyde, from Rom. xiii, 11; they all manifested a great desire to see the work of God revived in their midst. It cheered our hearts to see them have a mind to work. Our prayer is, that God may revive his work gloriously among them.

Dec. 26, I left home to attend my appointments in Wis. Met with the brethren at Little Prairie the 29th; the weather was extremely cold, and consequently there was not as large an attendance as there otherwise would have been; still, there was one load from Oakland, two from Johnstown Center, and a number of scattered brethren, attended the meeting. I think I never was in a place where the people gave better attention than they do here. I held ten meetings, during which I preached seven times. I sincerely trust that the word spoken has taken effect, and God grant that these dear brethren and sisters may be enabled to “gird on the whole armor of God,” that they may be enabled to stand amid the perils of the last days.

R. F. ANDREWS.

Little Prairie, Wis., Jan. 2, 1867.